Swaziland soldiers hit by coronavirus after infected senior officer refuses hospital treatment

A senior army officer in Swaziland (eSwatini) who tested positive for the coronavirus infected at least eight other soldiers when he discharged himself from hospital and returned to work.

The eSwatini Observer reported the man who has not been named was admitted at the Lubombo Referral Hospital. He returned to work and now eight soldiers are admitted to the clinic at Phocweni Army Barracks with coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Observer reported, ‘Sources claimed that the senior officer recently escaped from the hospital and returned to work, an act that is believed to have exposed the rest of his colleagues to the virus.’

Swaziland has been in partial lockdown because of coronavirus since 27 March 2020. Soldiers were ordered not to return home during lockdown and stay at their barracks. The officer reportedly defied this order.

In other coronavirus developments in Swaziland:

RESIDENTS HAVE expressed their fears over a plan to turn Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre in Manzini into a quarantine centre for COVID-19 positive patients.

A MAN WHO tested positive for coronavirus in the Shiselweni region has gone missing and the Ministry of Health are appealing for information about his whereabouts. 

MORE THAN E85 million in cash has been made available to the National Disaster Management Agency’s (NDMA) disposal since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.  About half has already been spent.

AS OF 11 May there had been two deaths and 175 people tested positive for coronavirus, according to official Ministry of Health figures.

See also

Swaziland Govt. blunders over church lockdowns during coronavirus crisis

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/05/swaziland-govt-blunders-over-church.html 

Swaziland Govt. tries for second time to ease coronavirus lockdown after previous attempt failed

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/05/swaziland-govt-tries-for-second-time-to.html

Coronavirus lockdown costs thousands of jobs in Swaziland, people evicted from homes

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/05/coronavirus-lockdown-costs-thousands-of.html

Swaziland King shows double standards about keeping safe from coronavirus

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/05/swaziland-king-shows-double-standards.html